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L AY E R S O F S O C I A L I N E Q U A L I T Y I N T H E U A E

ARI MONEKE & RAYEN GHANDI

LAYERS OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN THE UAE

When thinking about the theme layers, ‘society’ as a word stood out as a system with a numerous amount of disparity as well as inequality amongst governments and people within countries all around the world. The United Arab Emirates, or ‘the Emirates’, is a country in Western Asia located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. The UAE is an elective monarchy formed from a federation of seven emirates, consisting of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain. When focusing on the term ‘society’ the UAE consist of two social categories being, nationals and foreign immigrants. The divide between these two categories, whether it be wealth or privilege, is clearly apparent as a problem within the UAE. Not only this, but the disparity in power within each of these categories such as within the ruling family, makes it even more of a problem and, though we don’t see it, there is a metaphorical ‘layer’ of inequality created. The Nationals The nationals are further divided into four main social classes: the ruling family, merchant or businesspeople, professionals such as teachers, and finally Bedouin nomads. Though there is stark inequality between each of these classes, there is clear inequality within the ruling family. When working down from the power of the nationals, the ‘ruling family’ have the most power over the whole of the UAE, whether it be in their emirate or over country as a whole. Each emirate is governed by a Sheikh and, together, they form the Federal Supreme Council; one of them who serves as President of the United Arab Emirates, his name being Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Each of these Sheikhs have the power to enforce hard and soft power, however, instead of doing this between all the Emirates. Like many countries around the world, the UAE’s Federal Constitution keeps many powers within each individual emirate, rather than at a federal level. One of the most powerful Sheikhs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Vice President of the UAE, has shown examples of this by reinforcing eight principles or laws to which the Emirate of Dubai was created for. >

Abu Dhabi Noah Kerr

44 | Geographical Magazine • Merchant Taylors’ School

2021/22 Edition | 45